Senator Phillips Announces Senate Action on Legislation to Combat Drug Abuse

Senator Elaine Phillips (R-Manhasset), a member of the Senate’s Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, announced Senate passage of a package of bills to help combat the heroin and opioid epidemic that is affecting every single Long Island community.

The legislation would focus on enforcement to hold drug dealers more accountable, improve regulation of synthetic opioids, further protect children, and improve the state’s treatment programs to help assist individuals with recovery, among other measures.

“The heroin and opioid epidemic is destroying lives and causing tragedies in record numbers on Long Island. We must continue giving law enforcement and treatment providers stronger tools and additional resources to deal with this crisis,” said Senator Phillips. “The legislation passed today builds upon the progress we’ve made and continues our aggressive fight against drug abuse.”

Bills passed as part of the package include:

• Allowing drug dealers to be charged with homicide if they sell an illegal drug which causes an overdose death;
• Creating the new crime of selling controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a drug or Alcohol Treatment Center;
• Making it easier for law enforcement to prosecute heroin dealers;
• Enhancing penalties for adults who sell drugs to children under the age of 14;
• Requiring doctors to receive parental permission before prescribing opioids to a minor;
• Requiring healthcare practitioners to consult with patients about the risks associated with taking an opiate medication and the quantity they are being prescribed;
• Preventing people in need of substance abuse treatment from being victimized by predatory patient brokers;=
• Making the state’s peer engagement program, which enables people in need of addiction treatment to get support from peers who have dealt with similar circumstances, permanent.

The bills would build upon action already taken during this legislative session, including a record $214 million in funding to help improve prevention, treatment, recovery and education services across the state. The funding was included in the State Budget.

Senator Phillips will be hosting a public forum with the Senate’s Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction next month to discuss additional steps that can be taken to combat this epidemic, save lives and prevent tragedies.